Diamond Color
What Is Diamond Color?
Color refers to the natural tint inherent in white diamonds. In their natural setting, most white diamonds have a slight tint of yellow to them. The closer to being “colorless” a diamond is, the rarer it is. The industry standard for grading color is to evaluate each stone against a master set and assign a letter grade from “D” (colorless) to “Z” (light yellow).
Why is diamond color important?
Like all of the 4Cs, diamond color is an important consideration when buying a diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) color scale is the industry standard for diamond grading. The GIA diamond color grades range from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Many people ask why the GIA diamond grading scale starts at D. Arcane systems used grades of A-C, 1-3, and I-III, etc. The GIA set out to standardize these diverse systems and started their scale fresh with a grade of D. However, GIA certified diamonds are not the only diamonds to consider.
Diamond Color Chart
Gittelson only selects engagement diamonds in the “colorless” and “near colorless” range on a diamond color scale. In other words, for engagement rings, Gittelson Jewelers only accepts D color diamonds, E color diamonds, F color diamonds, G color diamonds, H color diamonds and I color diamonds.
DEF – Colorless
GHIJ – Near Colorless
KLM – Faint Yellow
NOPQR – Very Light Yellow
STUVWXYZ – Light Yellow
D-F Colorless
G-J Near Colorless
K-M Faint Yellow
N-R Very Light Yellow
S-Z Light Yellow
“If you’re buying a diamond from Gittelson Jewelers, you’re buying a personally selected piece of artwork”.
“If you’re buying a diamond from Gittelson Jewelers, you’re buying a personally selected piece of artwork”.
The 4 Cs
Cut
Cut is determined by how a diamond’s facets interact with light.
Clarity
Clarity is a measure of the purity and rarity of the stone.
Carat
Carat denotes the weight of a diamond; not the size.